Federal investigators are examining a suspicious elevated hunting stand that overlooks the area where President Donald Trump exits Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport.
The U.S. Secret Service discovered the structure on Thursday during advance security preparations before Trump’s return to Florida. The FBI now leads the investigation.
“Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. “No individuals were located at the scene. The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities.”
Patel said investigators have not yet linked the hunting stand to any individual.
Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the agency “is working closely” with the FBI and local law enforcement in Palm Beach County.
Guglielmi said agents found the stand during “advance security preparations” ahead of Trump’s arrival. “There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location,” he told Fox News.
“While we are not able to provide details about the specific items or their intent, this incident underscores the importance of our layered security measures,” Guglielmi added.
A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital the stand appeared months old.
The discovery follows the conviction of Ryan Routh for attempting to assassinate Trump from a sniper’s nest near a Palm Beach golf course, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Prosecutors said Routh set up his position in bushes along a fence line before authorities arrested him.
A jury found Routh, 59, guilty on five federal counts. The charges include attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses.
The case follows a separate attempt earlier this year when a gunman shot Trump in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.